01/17/2012

Is There Harm in the Act of Watching?

Before photographers take a picture, we'll watch. If the scene hasn't yielded the moment yet, we'll stay quiet and wait. We’ll linger or lurk so as not to draw attention. There’s nothing sinister about it. But honestly, sometimes you feel a little odd or creepy. You're sure they're asking themselves, "Why is he on the beach just standing there?"

We all watch and lurk to some degree. If you've ever paid attention to a blog or someone's Facebook updates without ever commenting, many would consider that lurking. Have you lurked this blog? That's ok, I don't mind (although comments are always appreciated).

The real issue is that most people don't like being watched, unless your narcissism is on hyper drive. I get watched often when I step into a room carrying very big and expensive cameras. It's especially hard for schoolchildren not to watch, or people from another country or culture who have never seen more than a point-and-shoot. Like most photographers, I’d rather not be the center of attention although it's a consequence of the job.

An actual social experiment was carried out once where a picture of eyes was taped above a coffeemaker in an office because people weren’t leaving money on the honor system. Once people saw the eyes, donations more than doubled. Go ahead and clip out the eyes above to carry out your own experiment.

After my father passed away in the emergency room of a hospital, I was at his bedside, trying to cope and comprehend what had just happened. I looked to my right, and sitting upright on his gurney was a patient, bright and alert. He was staring at us, mesmerized. Both curtains to our respective beds were wide open. It felt like I was on his personal television set.

I stared blankly back. There was no room for any other emotion in my spirit. I didn't know what to say. I can still feel the blankness of caring I felt at that moment. I turned back to what was more important.

Years later, I guess the question that remains for me, is what did the person gain by this? Was it just a vicarious look at a stranger's tragedy? Or was it an educational moment about a father-son bond? Maybe the man had never experienced the tragedy of losing a parent, and he was forced to confront that possibility. I don't harbor any ill-will to the person, although I do remember the oddness of it.

As a photojournalist I try to remember this experience – that photography is not just about having one’s picture taken, but about the mere act of being watched. I get thrust into many people's lives, mostly with everyone's permission but sometimes not. At funerals, the newspaper is sometimes invited and allowed to photograph the service to memorialize the person who passed away. At others, a grandmother could audibly curse you.

I’m aware, after meeting everyone from CEO’s to homeless veterans, that eyes are a window to the soul, or at least to what you could be thinking. Watching and holding a gaze for more than a few moments can communicate that the visible is beyond the norm, and make a person feel uncomfortable. It could be a hoarder's stuff, a physical deformity or intensely personal artwork. Stare at a gang member and you'll incur a very negative reaction. Where and how long you look speaks volumes to your subject.

In terms of the ethics of watching, the Golden Rule runs into the Utilitarian Principle: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” meets “What’s best for the common good?” Those decisions are made above me, but it's up to the photographer to exercise discretion.

When someone sees me watching, and the distance is not insurmountable, I introduce myself and explain my intentions. That often reduces the tension and confusion of being watched. I made that point in a post about photographing strangers. But sometimes there is a distance and lingering without overt watching is the best way not to get on someone's nerves.

As with everything, a balance is required. Eye contact communicates respect as well. I think the phrase “Look at me when I talk to you!” is pretty well-established by the parents of this world. Sometimes people require being fully known and appreciated before allowing their pictures to be taken. The best way to show that you care is often to hold their gaze.

Past the screens on YouTube that provide a detached perspective of life events, there are repercussions of watching and lurking around a person in real life. Sensibilities are required from the photographer such as becoming aware of eye contact and the tendency to fixate or stare. Sometimes, there is such a thing as seeing enough.

Back in the emergency room, I went to leave and looked to where the patient across the way had been. The curtain was now closed.

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Comments

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Hello Alex, I am taking Photojournalism course right now and I think I could understand what you are talking about. It is very stressful and uncomfortable, More often than not, for me to watch and lurk, but it often takes some time to catch a good moment. I am taught to ask for one's permission before I take photos of them, while in many cases I don't want to do that, because either I feel uncomfortable or it will ruin the moment. Could you give me some advice? Thanks very much!

Hi Allen, there's really no clear-cut answer, because every situation is governed not just be circumstances but by the sensibilities of the people involved (including the photographer and even their publication). A lot depends on what you look like also. People assume a teenager with a professional camera is a student who intends no harm, whereas a bearded 50 year-old would be viewed and treated differently. That might affect how you approach people. My fallback is to introduce myself beforehand unless the picture is so important that there's no way it will happen again. If I take the picture without the subject being aware, and then I am noticed, I am quick to introduce and to defuse any concern about intention. Just don't assume, however, that people think the worst about you and you have to prove otherwise. A lot of times people understand why a picture would be interesting - they even wish they had a photo of a moment as well. You're there to share and identify with moments of your subjects, not to take moments from them. I believe being as transparent as possible will make the process for yourself enjoyable and your subjects, and that flow will yield more and better pictures.